Resources

Instructions

1. Read Flanders Fields.
2. Discuss why people wear red poppies:

Poppy Day in New Zealand is a tradition which has endured many years.

The first Poppy Day was in London on Armistice Day (11 November) 1921, and the ship carrying poppies from France arrived in New Zealand too late for it to be held in 1921, so the first Poppy day in New Zealand was held the day before Anzac Day 1922 (24 April). This first Poppy Day appeal was a huge success. Many centres sold out early in the day. In all, 245,059 small and 15,157 large poppies were sold. Of the £13,166 raised, £3695 went to the French Children’s League to help relieve suffering in the war-ravaged areas of northern France. The association used the remainder to assist needy, unemployed returned soldiers and their families; that tradition has continued.The popularity of Poppy Day quickly grew. There were record collections during the Second World War. By 1945, 750,000 poppies were being distributed nationwide, which equates to half the population wearing the familiar red symbol of remembrance.

In New Zealand the poppy is most often worn around Anzac Day. Since 1927 Poppy Day itself has been marked on the Friday before Anzac Day (unless it falls on a Good Friday) with the appeal going through to 25 April. Although the poppies recalled the poppies of Flanders Fields, they have become the symbol for all those who died in wars, and are worn to remember them. New Zealanders want to show this at other times as well as on Anzac Day. At major commemorative events, at military funerals and at war graves and cemeteries in New Zealand and around the world, the red poppy can be seen.

http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/war/anzac-day/poppies

3. Make one or two or more and give them to a serviceman or woman. You can also wear one to an ANZAC day service.